I went for lunch on a weekend, walking down the main, through a pretty seedy area and out the other side to Chinatown. There's 1 block with a lot of great noodle restaurants, need to go back and try Nudo and Pho bang New York.
I mistakenly ordered a bowl of pho with tripe in it, I tried but I just can't get to grips with the consistency. Pretty certain I'm not alone in that so won't beat myself up. I left the tripe but the beef, the noodles, broth and accompaniments were exactly what I needed. Available in 3 sizes, I went medium and it's pretty big. The prawn summer rolls were great too. Free green tea is given on arrival. Really liked it and will be back. Lots of people came and went, it's very popular, relaxed and great for a quick cheap bite to eat, I paid $13.
Hof Kelsten
I've been here a couple of times, it's primarily a bakery selling loaves, pastries and good coffee but they also have a sandwich and soup menu, and on weekends a few brunch selections on a handwritten menu. I really liked my Challah French toast with bacon, poached egg and maple syrup. Really really good. I want to get back down there and try the salmon sandwich and matzo soup of which I hear very good things.
Osteria Venti
Early in the month, I dragged some work buddies round the corner from work to this trattoria on St Paul. Pasta dishes were the highlight, they have an enormous chalkboard listing cheeses and charcuterie, I've just realised I lied completely in my last post claiming not to have had any local cheese in Montreal, I have had cheese, we shared the cheeseboard for afters here. Can't have been that great, I completely forgot. We shared the charcuterie board to start, the focaccia with olive oil was excellent.
My squid ink seafood pasta was really lovely, massive massive prawn. Can't remember how much we paid, wasn't expensive, drank a couple of bottles of decent red. Pasta was the highlight.
Lawrence (brunch)
I've mentioned these guys before, they are responsible for the best sandwich I've ever eaten. I went for brunch with a monster hangover and they sorted me out. I had the full english and a pot of tea. There was even bubble and squeak! Only gripe is the bowl type plate which makes it hard to manouvre things around and that there wasn't a hash brown, because their presence is always welcome. Can't wait to get back there for dinner. Brunch was less than $20, no booze.
Pho Bac 97
1016 Boulevard St-Laurent
Chinatown
8.5/10
Hof Kelsten
4524 Saint Laurent Blvd
Plateau
8.5/10
Osteria Venti
372 St-Paul Ouest
Old Montreal
7/10
Lawrence
5201 Blvd St-Laurent
Plateau
9/10
p.s. A really really great thing about Montreal is that late night eating is encouraged. Many establishments offering a special late menu post 10pm, it's bloody brilliant. They're also trialing some bars opening until 6am this summer, excellent timing!
